A dishwasher is a helpful appliance that makes your clean-up a breeze after dinner. If you want to ensure its peak performance all the time, regular cleaning and maintenance is important.
Odors emitted from a dishwasher are very common and it can be a hassle if your dishes are affected by the smell. So, it’s best to narrow down which part could be causing it and clean it as soon as you can.
Here are some of the common causes of dishwasher odor and what you can do to resolve it.
- Clean the drain filter
The first step in cleaning a foul-smelling dishwasher involves addressing one of the most common sources of odor and blockage: the drain filter. Many dishwashers have a drain filter to prevent food particles from clogging the drain.
Follow these steps to clean it:
- Remove the drain filter from the floor of the dishwasher. The drain filter is usually located near the bottom of the dishwasher, beneath the spray arm. It’s often a circular or mesh-like component that can be removed.
- Wash the filter in your kitchen sink with hot water and soap. Use a bottle brush or toothbrush to reach all the interior surfaces. Make sure to clean both sides of the filter.
- Check the drain itself for food debris and gunk. Wipe away any debris or buildup with a sponge.
- Reinsert the clean dishwasher drain filter. Once it’s securely inserted, you can return power to the appliance.
It’s good practice to clean your drain filter at least once a month. This routine dishwasher maintenance can help prevent buildup and blockages, keeping your dishwasher stink-free and running smoothly. Source: Mr. Appliance
- Clean the spray arm ports
Food and other gunk can also become lodged in the small holes of the spray arm. Not only can this cause odors, it may also prevent your dishwasher from cleaning your dishes properly. Remove and inspect the lower spray arm and, if applicable, the upper spray arm for any debris.
To clean the spray arms, remove them from the dishwasher and simply wash with warm soapy water. Check the ports where the water jets out for any blockage, removing food particles or other bits with a toothpick, tweezers, or other small pointy object. Replace the spray arm(s) and continue to Step 3 or simply resume normal operation.
- Clean the bottom lip behind the door
One last place food may collect—and be overlooked—is the bottom lip where the dishwasher door meets the bottom basin. Open the door all the way and, with a damp microfiber cloth or soapy sponge, scrub away any accumulated sludge, grime, or food particles trapped on the lip between the door and the wash basin. Pro tip: Give the bottom edge of the door a good wipe-down while it’s open! Source: Merry Maids
- Drain hose broken or leaking
The drain hose in your dishwasher plays a vital role in disposing dirty water and food particles into the sink’s disposal unit. A malfunctioning drain hose can be the reason behind the unpleasant smell emanating from your dishwasher.
To help determine if this is the issue, simply remove the lower access panel and observe the condition of the floor. If the floor has been damaged by water or water is observed, a leak is likely present. In the event of a leak, you may need to seek the assistance of a professional.
- Leftover food
Odors may occur from dirty dishes and food soils that fall into the tub or other parts of the dishwasher. Scraping dishes before loading, running regular cycles and cleaning leftover food out of the dishwasher can help ensure that it smells fresh and your dishes come out clean.
If the dishwasher is not used daily, you can run a rinse cycle with the partial load until a full load is ready to be washed. Use dishwasher cleaner regularly to keep the dishwasher tub clean of soils. You can also run a vinegar rinse through the dishwasher by putting two cups of white vinegar in an upright glass measuring cup, or any dishwasher safe container, in the lower rack. Run a normal cycle with no detergent and the dry option turned off. Source: KitchenAid
Hopefully, this has been helpful in preventing dishwasher odors in the future. If you need more info on this or want a professional to look at your dishwasher, just get in touch with us and we’ll send in our experts as soon as possible!